Homeopathy

FEVERS

Tamar Henryby
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FEVERS

Fever, rather than something to be feared, is a vital, intelligent and purposeful healing response, reflecting that your child’s immune system is actively engaged in combating illness, or indeed infection. Fever is one of the body’s most powerful innate tools for recovery. By raising the internal temperature, the immune system creates an environment that is less favourable for viruses and bacteria, while simultaneously increasing immune efficiency, circulation, and metabolic activity.

Suppressing a fever using temperature-reducing meds like paracetamol or ibuprofen too early or too often can interfere with the body’s natural healing, sometimes making the illness last longer, or recurrent. While lowering a temperature may help a child seem or feel better temporarily, it can mask important clues that you, or your health professional need to assess on how the illness is progressing.

Homeopathy can gently support your child’s fever by stimulating the body’s innate healing response rather than suppressing it. Choosing a remedy, based on your child’s individual symptoms, not only supports the immune response but also helps build long-term resilience, making the body better equipped to handle future illnesses.

TOP HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES

ACONITE

  • Recommended at the onset of a fever
  • When fever develops suddenly after exposure to cold air or a fright/shock
  • Will likely be anxious and restless
  • May have difficulty with calming the child
  • May be accompanied by a thirst for cold drinks

Indicated: to help calm the body’s response + bring relief in the early stages of fever

BELLADONNA

  • Sudden onset that is intense with a red, flushed face, hot and dry skin
  • Child may appear delirious and/or with dilated pupils
  • Symptoms that worsen in later afternoon/evening
  • May also have a throbbing heading
  • Sensitivity to light and sound

Indicated: to help reduce severity of fever and its associated symptoms

CHAMOMILLA

  • Your go-to remedy for children who are overly sensitive during a fever
  • Often feel worse for being touched or moved
  • Changeable symptoms – the child will not know what they want
  • Extremely cranky, demanding, irritable – with crying
  • Yet also, may feel better for being carried

Indicated: to help calm a child and ease associated discomfort and restlessness

FERRUM PHOSPHORICUM

  • For the very early stages of illness – when symptoms come on gradually and lack a clear picture
  • Low grade fever or the very early stages of a higher fever
  • No clear keynote symptoms, yet
  • Easily fatigued, worse for exertion
  • Better for rest and gentle care

Indicated: for the very early stages, low grade fever, a general “off” feeling

GELSEMIUM

  • For fevers that are come on slowly
  • Accompanied by weakness, heaviness and drowsiness, can have droopy eyelids
  • Listless, with very little thirst
  • Fever may bring on body aches, chills and a feeling of being too tired to speak or move
  • Desires to be left alone to rest or sleep

Indicated: to gently support the body through this sluggish state

PULSATILLA

  • For mild fevers with shifting symptoms, worse in the evening
  • Symptoms that noticeably improve with fresh air (even an open window will help)
  • Will feel better with attention and comfort, can be clingy and crave cuddles
  • A lack of thirst, even in the presence of heat and fever
  • Fever that will often accompany a cold or cough

Indicated: for mild fevers with changeable symptoms, better for attention and care

WORKING WITH A HOMEOPATH

  • Ensures you receive a individualised remedy that matches your child’s presenting symptoms. Guides you in choosing the right potency/dosage. Offers you on-going support.
  • Monitors progress, adjusting remedies and or potency/dosage if needed. For complex or chronic conditions, a homeopath’s expertise helps uncover potentially more deep-rooted causes. 
  • Personally, I offer nutrition, supplementation and lifestyle recommendations, where appropriate, to compliment the homeopathic approach.

NUTRITION SUPPORT

  • Fever increases fluid loss, so offer plenty of 100% coconut water, broths and/or homemade vegetable juices. Even if not thirsty, offer small sips often. For little ones, breastfeeding is perfect.
  • Offer easy-to-digest foods. If your child is not hungry, that’s ok, fasting during fever is a natural response and gives the body the energy it needs to fight.
  • Avoid heavy, greasy, or processed foods, sugary snacks or drinks, and omit dairy for the time being (especially if the fever accompanies a cold or cough – as it will only increase mucus in your child.

GENTLE HOME SUPPORT

  • Use a cool (never cold) damp cloths on the forehead, back of the neck, or feet if your child is very warm and uncomfortable. This can help soothe without forcing the fever down too quickly.
  • Let your child rest and sleep as much as they need. Extra cuddles and care (if your child wants it), and plenty of quiet time support recovery.
  • Keep your child’s room well-ventilated. Pulsatilla children particularly, feel relief with an open window. Avoid overheating the room and remove extra clothing as needed – let the fever breathe.